The GRE General Test is the standard graduate admissions test for master's and PhD programmes in the United States and many other countries, accepted by thousands of programmes including business and law schools. Since September 2023 the test has been shorter, sharper and entirely computer-based, and its fee and format changed again in 2026. This guide explains the current GRE format, scoring, fees, registration and preparation strategy for 2027 applicants.
Format: three sections in under two hours
The current GRE General Test takes about 1 hour 58 minutes and has three parts: Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning. Analytical Writing is a single 'Analyze an Issue' essay, completed in 30 minutes and scored from 0 to 6 in half-point steps. Verbal Reasoning has two sections totalling 27 questions in 41 minutes, and Quantitative Reasoning has two sections totalling 27 questions in 47 minutes. Each of Verbal and Quant is scored from 130 to 170, giving a total score range of 260 to 340.
The test is section-adaptive: your performance on the first Verbal or Quant section determines the difficulty of the second section in that measure. There is no negative marking, no scheduled break in the shorter format, and you can move freely within a section, skipping questions and returning to them. That freedom matters for strategy: answer the questions you can solve quickly first, mark the hard ones, and return to them with whatever time remains, rather than getting stuck on a single problem.
Fees and registration
From 1 August 2026, the GRE General Test registration fee is US$249 in most countries, with a different local price in mainland China. Older guides quoting US$220 reflect the fee before that change, so check the current fee on the ETS website at the time you register. The fee includes sending your scores to up to four institutions on test day; additional score reports cost extra, as do rescheduling and changing your test centre. Scores remain reportable for five years.
Registration is through the ETS website. Create an ETS account, choose between a test centre and the at-home version, pick a date, and pay by card or PayPal. Test centres fill up during the peak admissions season from September to December, so book at least a month ahead if you have a deadline. On test day, bring the ID specified by ETS for your country — usually a valid passport for international test takers — and arrive early, because late arrival can mean forfeiting the fee.
What score do you need?
There is no universal passing score, and most programmes do not publish a minimum. Competitive master's programmes in engineering and data fields often look for a Quant score of 165 or higher, while humanities and social science programmes weigh Verbal more heavily. A total score around 320 is strong for many programmes, and above 325 is competitive for top schools, but the GRE is only one part of the file: a strong statement of purpose, recommendations and academic record matter at least as much, and some programmes are now test-optional or do not require the GRE at all.
Check each programme's policy before you pay for the test. If your target programmes are test-optional and the rest of your file is strong, a mediocre GRE score submitted voluntarily can hurt more than no score at all. If a programme requires or recommends the GRE, plan for the possibility of a retake: you may take the test up to five times in any 12-month period, with at least 21 days between attempts, and ETS ScoreSelect lets you choose which scores to send to institutions.
How to prepare in 8 to 12 weeks
Start with a full practice test under timed conditions to find your baseline, then divide your study by weakness rather than by comfort. Quant preparation should focus on arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis, with timed drills on the question types you miss most. Verbal preparation rewards vocabulary in context and reading comprehension practice: learn words through sentences, not lists, and practise identifying the structure of an argument in dense passages. For Analytical Writing, practise outlining an issue essay in five minutes and writing it in 25, with a clear position, two or three reasons, and a concession to the other side.
Use official ETS materials first — the PowerPrep practice tests are the closest to the real test — and add one reputable question bank for volume. Study in short, timed sessions rather than long untimed ones, review every mistake the same day, and take a full practice test every two weeks to track progress. In the final week, reduce volume, review your error log, and practise the test-day routine: the same sleep schedule, the same breakfast, the same timing strategy you will use on the day.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the GRE General Test? About 1 hour 58 minutes: one essay, two Verbal sections and two Quant sections.
How much does the GRE cost? US$249 in most countries from 1 August 2026; confirm the current fee on the ETS website before registering.
How long are GRE scores valid? Five years from the test date.
Can I retake the GRE? Yes, up to five times in 12 months, with at least 21 days between attempts; ScoreSelect lets you choose which scores to send.
A final word on score reporting: on test day you can send your scores to up to four institutions free of charge, so decide your shortlist before you sit the test. If you are unsure about a programme, you can still send scores later for an additional fee per recipient. After the test, you will see your unofficial Verbal and Quant scores immediately, while the Analytical Writing score and the official report follow within about ten to fifteen days. Use that waiting period to finalise your statement of purpose and recommendations, so that the whole application is ready the moment the official report arrives.
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Sources and verification: ETS: shorter GRE from Sep 2023, ~1h58, Verbal/Quant 130–170, Analytical Writing 0–6, fee US$249 from 1 Aug 2026, scores valid 5 years, up to 5 attempts per 12 months. Confirm current fee and test-centre availability on the ETS website.